Atomic Cup

Brandts and Maupin kick off the new season in style

Facebook Saturday photo album available HERE

Facebook Sunday photo album available HERE

YouTube playlist available HERE

Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Friday photo album available HERE

Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Saturday photo album available HERE

Chris Denslow (Digital Roostertails) Sunday photo album available HERE

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After just a single race in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, R/CU's members were eager to get going in 2021. The return to racing brought us to Two Rivers Park in Finley, WA. Typically the Tri-Cities delivers some good weather, but Mother Nature was extra good this weekend. 85 degree days, cloudless skies, and barely a hint of wind meant that the racers and boats were in perfect conditions.

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The good weather and return to racing brought a large field; 57 total boats were entered across the four classes! We had 32 nitro boats, 12 FE boats, 10 gas scale, and 3 1/10th scale electric boats. On site was also a decent crowd of hydro fans, who came out to enjoy the weather and watch the boat racing action.

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The racing action was intense throughout the day, and soon the finals were upon us. The season-opening Atomic Cup was up for grabs, and everyone was going for gold.

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1/10th Scale Electric

1968 Myr's Sheet Metal, Mason Dunn

1970 Miss Budweiser, John Olson

1971 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Ron Cole

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The 1/10th scale electrics ran 4 heats. It was highlighted by 9-year old Mason Dunn, making his R/CU debut! Mason kept it clean and even logged his first victory. We look forward to seeing him more in R/CU.

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Gas Scale Final

1st: 1982 Gilmore Special, Dave Brandt

2nd: 1990 Infinity Car Audio, Scott Meyers

3rd: 1982 Executone, Henry Oord

4th (DNF): 1983 Miss Houston, Brian Packer

5th (DNF): 1971 Country Boy, John Olson

6th (DNF): 1977 Atlas Van Lines, Jim Whyte

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At the starting line, it was John Olson in lane 1 with the brand-new Country Boy, while Dave Brandt and Scott Meyers carried speed in lanes 2 and 3. The Atlas was the first to retire, as it ingested water going into the first turn. Next, the Country Boy caught a gust and flipped in the right turn. That set a duel for all 5 laps. Dave Brandt and the Gilmore had struggled throughout the day, but found speed and was able to stay in front in lane 1. The Infinity Car Audio looked quicker on the water, but struggled to find clean water just outside of the Gilmore. Scott tried to hold tight on the final turn, but the boat caught some rough water and Dave Brandt took home the victory.

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FE Consolation

1st: 2008 Formulaboats.com (U-5), Brady Brackett

2nd: 1981 Captran Resorts, Jason Colean

3rd (DNF): 2006 Graham Trucking, Rob Brackett

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Brady Brackett marked his R/CU debut with a clean run in the consolation heat, taking the victory and advancing to the final over the Captran and the new Graham Trucking.

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FE Final

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1st: 1987 Eliminator, Bill Brandt

2nd: 1986 Mr. Pringle's, Jim Brittain

3rd: 1983 Miss Houston, Henry Oord

4th: 1983 Atlas Van Lines, Rich Matkin

5th: 2008 Formulaboats.com, Brady Brackett

6th (DNF): 1984 Atlas Van Lines, Don Mock

7th (DNF): 1983 KISW Miss Rock, Paxton Reunanen

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Paxton in the KISW Miss Rock took the apparent early lead, but cut a buoy in the left turn to incur a 1-lap penalty. That put Bill Brandt into the lead with the recently-purchased Eliminator (converted from a nitro boat). Don Mock was giving chase behind in the Atlas Van Lines, and was slowly reeling in the Eliminator. Going into the final turn, the Atlas tried to make a move on the inside lane. The boat caught a gust, barrel-rolling and discarding its cowling. The Eliminator made the same barrel roll, but landed right-side up and pointing in the correct direction. Bill gunned the throttle, and in a drag race to the line was able to beat the hard-charging Pringle's boat with Jim Brittain.

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Nitro Second Consolation

1st: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski

2nd: 2010 Superior Racing, Jeff Griffin

3rd:  2012 Matrix Auto Systems, Brian Anderson

4th (DNS): 1980 Miss Budweiser, Joey Caines

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The Superior Racing and Matrix Auto Systems were called for jumping the gun. This incurred a 1-lap penalty, and Geoffry Grembowski cruised around to take the victory and advance to the first consolation.

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Nitro First Consolation

1st: 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson

2nd: 1988 Stroh's Light, Scott Meyers

3rd: 1979 Miss Circus Circus, Geoffry Grembowski

4th: 1982 Oh Boy! Oberto, Jim Brittain

DNS: 1983 Miss Houston, Steve Roman

DNS: 1978 Miss Circus Circus, Mike Malloy

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The 2019 drivers' and boat champion found himself in the first consolation, but Fred blitzed the competition to advance to the final as a trailer.

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Nitro Final

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1st: 1976 Miss Vernors, Kirk Maupin

2nd: 1971 Country Boy, John Olson

3rd: 1978 Squire Shop, Dave Brandt

4th: 1983 American Speedy Printing, Mike Cathey

5th (DNF): 1970 Pride of Pay'n Pak, Fred Olson

6th (DNF): 2016 Spirit of Qatar, Adam Putich

7th (DNS): 2003 Llumar Window Films, Paul Jackson

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Unfortunately, the Llumar broke a throttle linkage right before the race, allowing Fred Olson to start the final on the front line. As they came to the start, all 6 boats were side-by-side! The Spirit of Qatar was in lane 1 but did not get a great start, so John Olson and the Country Boy took the inside lane through the first turn. Olson had the lead initially, but Kirk Maupin surged ahead on the outside and never look back. Dave Brandt overtook Adam Putich when the Spirit of Qatar flipped to take the final podium space.

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April 12-14

Location: Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA

Contest Director: Dave, Bill, and Brenda Brandt

Schedule

See above

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Previous Race Winners:

Race held in Two Rivers Park, Finley, WA 2001-present

Race held in Columbia Park, Kennewick, WA 2000

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-2021: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro], Bill Brandt (1987 Eliminator) [FE], Dave Brandt (1982 Gilmore Special) [gas]

-2020: Race cancelled due to COVID-19

-2019: Kirk Maupin (1976 Miss Vernors) [nitro], Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com II) [FE]

-2018: Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) [nitro] and Bill Brandt (1972 Notre Dame) [FE]

-2017: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]

-2016: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2011 Valken Sports) [FE]

-2015: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Rob Brackett (2008 Formulaboats.com) [FE]

-2014: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and Bob Brackett (2011 Graham Trucking) [FE]

-2013: Kirk Maupin (1977 Squire) [nitro] and John Olson (1997 Close Call) [FE]

Prior to 2013, only nitro class run

-2012: Dave Brandt (2008 Miss Elam Plus)

-2011: Kirk Maupin (1977 Miss Esquire Products)

-2010: David Newton (1993 Miss Budweiser)

-2009: David Newton (2008 Spirit of Detroit)

-2008: Scott Meyers (1994 Miss Exide)

-2007: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)

-2006: Dave Blacksten (1998 Llumar Window Film)

-2005: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)

-2004: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)

-2003: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)

-2002: Dave Brandt (1995 Pico American Dream)

-2001: Don Mock (1984 Atlas Van Lines)

-2000: David Jensen (1969 Pride of Pay 'N Pak)